Sustainability Commission

AGENDA OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025, 5:00 PM In person at City Hall, Room 310. Virtual attendance also available via Zoom. A. Zoom Meeting Information. 1. Join Zoom Meeting Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82236285137?pwd=bzBScDVVRysrQlpSZEZpK2FMSnd4Zz09 Or call in by phone: +1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 822 3628 5137 Passcode: 769016 If you wish to speak at this public meeting or leave a comment, please fill out the online Comment Form prior to the meeting. More detailed Zoom Instructions can be found online. B. Roll Call. 1. Chair- Christa Kananen; Vice Chair- Ned Dorff; Alder Joey Prestley; Julia Noordyk; Jenny Brinker; Amy Kox; Mark Walter; Daniela Beall; Staff person- Maria Otto C. Approval of the Agenda. 1. Approval of the agenda for the Wednesday, September 17, 2025, meeting of the Sustainability Commission. D. Approval of Minutes. 1. Approval of the minutes from the August 20,2025 meeting. E. Announcements. 1. Upcoming events and news. F. Regular Business. - NONE Agenda of the Sustainability Commission September 17, 2025 Page 1 G. Informational. 1. Discussion of 2026 Sustainability Commission Work Plan 2. Youth Engagement Work Group Update 3. Clean Energy Connector - Update 4. Next Meeting: Thursday, October 16, 2025 5. Resiliency Coordinator Updates H. Adjournment. 1. Adjournment of the Wednesday, September 17, 2025, meeting of the Sustainability Commission. 1) THIS MEETING IS RECORDED: THE VIDEO OF THIS MEETING AND MINUTES ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT www.greenbaywi.gov 2) ACCESSIBILITY: Any person wishing to attend who requires special accommodation because of a disability, should contact the City Safety Manager at 920-448-3125 at least 48 hours before the scheduled meeting time so that arrangements can be made. 3) QUORUM: Please take notice that a majority or quorum of the Common Council will attend this Sustainability Commission meeting and will constitute a meeting of the Common Council for purposes of discussion and information gathering relative to this agenda. 4) REPRESENTATION: The party requesting the communication, or their representative, should be present at this meeting. Agenda of the Sustainability Commission September 17, 2025 Page 2  Report to the Sustainability Commission of the City of Green Bay MEETING DATE September 17, 2025 AGENDA ITEM # D.1 Approval of the minutes from the August 20,2025 meeting. BACKGROUND RECOMMENDATION FISCAL IMPACT ATTACHMENTS 1. Sustainability Minutes 08 20 2025 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 greenbaywi.gov  MINUTES OF THE SUSTAINABILITY COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025, 5:00 PM In person at City Hall, Room 310. Virtual attendance also available via Zoom. A. ZOOM MEETING INFORMATION. 1. Join Zoom Meeting Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82236285137?pwd=bzBScDVVRysrQlpSZEZpK2FMSnd4Zz09 Or call in by phone: +1 312 626 6799 Meeting ID: 822 3628 5137 Passcode: 769016 If you wish to speak at this public meeting or leave a comment, please fill out the online Comment Form prior to the meeting. More detailed Zoom Instructions can be found online. B. ROLL CALL. 1. Chair- Christa Kananen; Vice Chair- Ned Dorff; Alder Joey Prestley; Julia Noordyk; Jenny Brinker; Amy Kox; Mark Walter; Daniela Beall; Maria Otto Present: Amy Kox, Ned Dorff, Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker, Joey Prestley, Daniela Beall, Maria Otto Excused: Mark Walter, Julia Noordyk Absent: None. C. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. 1. Approval of the agenda for the Wednesday, August 20, 2025, meeting of the Sustainability Commission. Moved by Ald. Joey Prestley, seconded by Jenny Brinker to approve the agenda. Motion Passed. Yes-Amy Kox, Ned Dorff, Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker, Joey Prestley, Maria Otto, No- None, Abstain-None. D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES. 1. Approval of the minutes from the July 16, 2025 meeting. Moved by Ald. Joey Prestley, seconded by Christa Kananen to approve the minutes. Motion Passed. Yes-None, No-None, Abstain-None. E. ANNOUNCEMENTS. 1. Upcoming events and news. Moved by Ald. Joey Prestley, seconded by Jenny Brinker to receive and place on file announcements of upcoming events. Motion Passed. Yes-Amy Kox, Ned Dorff, Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker, Joey Prestley, Daniela Beall, Maria Otto, No-None, Abstain-None. F. REGULAR BUSINESS.- NONE G. INFORMATIONAL. 1. Clean Energy Workgroup report and discussion of the Large Energy Users Roundtable outcomes report. Moved by Christa Kananen, seconded by Ald. Joey Prestley to receive and place on file. Motion Passed. Yes-Amy Kox, Ned Dorff, Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker, Joey Prestley, Daniela Beall, Maria Otto, No-None, Abstain-None. 2. Staff Report(s) Moved by Ald. Joey Prestley, seconded by Jenny Brinker to receive and place on file staff reports. Motion Passed.  Yes-Amy Kox, Ned Dorff, Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker, Joey Prestley, Daniela Beall, Maria Otto, No-None, Abstain-None. 3. Next Meeting: September 17, 2025 H. ADJOURNMENT. 1. Adjournment of the Wednesday, August 20, 2025, meeting of the Sustainability Commission. Moved by Ald. Joey Prestley, seconded by Ned Dorff to adjourn. Motion Passed. Yes-Amy Kox, Ned Dorff, Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker, Joey Prestley, Daniela Beall, Maria Otto, No-None, Abstain-None.  Report to the Sustainability Commission of the City of Green Bay MEETING DATE September 17, 2025 AGENDA ITEM # E.1 Upcoming events and news. BACKGROUND • Connect the Bay Open House is October 2 4-6:30 PM - held at The View at South Bay, Suite 5 at 101 Bay Beach Rd, Green Bay. Located next door to Paradise North Distillery. The public is invited to attend and provide input into restoration designs that reduce wave impacts, mitigate flooding, create habitat, and improve public access to the shoreline of Green Bay. No pre-registration necessary. • The East River Collaborative is hosting a Green Stormwater Infrastructure Field Tour, Thursday, October 2, 1-4 PM; Register Here. • The 2025 Sustainable Business Council Conference will be held in LaCrosse, WI on November 4-5. Learn more and register at https://www.wisconsinsustainability.com/2025conference. RECOMMENDATION FISCAL IMPACT None. ATTACHMENTS None 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 greenbaywi.gov  Report to the Sustainability Commission of the City of Green Bay MEETING DATE September 17, 2025 AGENDA ITEM # G.1 Discussion of 2026 Sustainability Commission Work Plan BACKGROUND The Sustainability Commission’s Work Plan is intended to guide the activity of the commission, ensuring our efforts are impactful and aligned. This has facilitated incredible progress, including passage of a commitment to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2050; development, approval, and implementation of the Clean Energy Green Bay (CEGB) and Green Stormwater Infrastructure plans; incorporation of climate resilience in the Go Big Green Bay 2050 Comprehensive Plan; and implementation of multiple City policies and initiatives that support pollinators and native species. To continue to leverage the expertise of Commission members and drive impact toward a more sustainable community, we propose the following: • Sustainability Commission members will prepare a list of all possible 2026 Commission initiatives by the October 2025 meeting. This should include personal/professional input and input from represented stakeholders. All ideas are welcome – this should be a comprehensive list of all possible action by the Commission in 2026. • During the October meeting, the Commission will compile and discuss the proposed ideas and assign them to the appropriate Work Group. Additional Work Groups may be proposed at this time, as needed to address recommended actions. Each Commission member is encouraged to participate in at least one Work Group; each Work Group must have participation of 1-3 Commission members to be considered active, and only active Work Groups will be reflected in the 2026 Work Plan. Work Group leaders should be prepared to request additional support from the Commission at this time, to ensure that each group has the resources it needs to achieve its 2026 priorities. • Between October and November 2025, Work Groups will meet to discuss the proposed ideas and identify 1-3 initiatives for 2026. Initiatives should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-Bound (SMART). If additional funding or outside resources are needed to accomplish the initiative, steps to secure those resources should be outlined as part of the 2026 plan. • During the November 2025 meeting, each Work Group will present its 2026 plan to the Commission for discussion. • Between November and December 2025, the Work Plan will be updated to reflect the 2026 Work Group initiatives. • During the December 2026 meeting, the Commission will vote to finalize the 2026 Work Plan. • Throughout 2026, the Commission will adhere to the Work Plan; Commission meetings will emphasize Work Groups updates, with monthly updates from each group outlining what has been accomplished toward their 2026 targets and updating the broader Commission on progress, additional resources needed, lessons learned, etc. Additional presentations and updates to the Commission at monthly meetings will be considered based on their 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 greenbaywi.gov  alignment with the approved Work Plan. Except for extenuating/unforeseen circumstances, new initiatives proposed in 2026 will be held for the 2027 planning phase, to be initiated in Q4 2026. RECOMMENDATION • Receive and place on file the proposed process for developing the 2026 Sustainability Commission Work Plan. • Refer to City Staff to gather input from City Department Heads regarding possible 2026 initiatives. • Commission Members to compile and submit proposed initiatives, including stakeholder input, for discussion at the October 2025 meeting. FISCAL IMPACT None at this time. ATTACHMENTS 1. GB Sustainability Commission Work Plan 2025-2026_approved 03 03 2025 page 2 of 2  City of Green Bay Sustainability Commission 2025-26 Work Plan Purpose of this Document: This work plan is intended to focus the work of the Sustainability Commission and provide transparency to the Common Council, Mayor, City staff, and citizens of Green Bay. While there are many sustainability issues that need to be addressed, we have limited our focus to these categories and identified specific goals and actions that we can tangibly address. This plan functions as a working document and outlines how we may consider new issues that are brought to our attention throughout the year. We will update our work plan at the beginning of every year. The duration of this document will coincide with the appointed alderperson’s two-year terms. Process: The work plan will inform actions and proposals from the Sustainability Commission, which will be referred to the necessary committee or staff before going to the Common Council. The actions we propose must be rooted in data and make effective use of limited financial and staff resources while addressing environmental impacts and improving the quality of life in Green Bay, considering the long-term economic, social, and environmental costs of the impact of our actions as a community. This work plan is intended to act as an internal tool to drive progress and provide transparency to our work, and we welcome discussion regarding the data and underlying assumptions behind recommendations. Clean Energy: • Goals ○ 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality for the City of Green Bay by the year 2050 (Resolution 5/4/2021). • Research, Data, or Evidence ○ Clean Energy Green Bay Plan - adopted December 2023 • Actions ○ Assist staff in researching tracking and reporting methods and tools to assess progress on clean energy plan implementation. ○ Lead a business and industry working group to share best practices that result in reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. ○ Support Clean Energy Connector employee in education and outreach to the community. ○ Provide support for city operational projects and upgrades. • Target Dates ○ Research possible carbon emissions tracking and reporting tools the City could use by the end of 2025. ○ Quarterly business and industry working group meetings throughout 2025. ○ Other actions are ongoing. • Partners ○ Internal City employee energy team (in-progress) ○ WPS ○ Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition ○ Green Bay Metro Transit ○ Green Bay Water Utility ○ Green Bay Neighborhoods ○ Focus on Energy 1  City of Green Bay Sustainability Commission 2025-26 Work Plan ○ NWTC ○ UWGB ○ NEW North ○ Oneida Nation • Funding Sources ○ Grants • Point People: Christa Kananen, Jenny Brinker Climate Resilience: • Goal: Strengthen the community’s resilience to weather-related hazards. • Research, Data, or Evidence ○ Summary document of local climate changes, projections and impacts (UW Sea Grant, 2024) ○ Flood vulnerability analysis (UW Sea Grant, 2024) ○ Heat Vulnerability analysis (UW Sea Grant, 2024) ○ “Perfect storm” coastal flooding scenario (UW Sea Grant) ○ Flood Resilience Community Assessment Summary (East River Collaborative, 2022) ○ City of Green Bay Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan (2023) ○ City of Green Bay Comprehensive Plan (in development) • Actions ○ Integrate Commission’s sustainability goals into comprehensive plan. ○ Evaluate residential GSI and native planting programs. ○ Provide recommendations to the Commission for increasing the impact of residential GSI and native planting programs (incl., removing barriers to participation, reducing administrative burden, and communication and outreach). ○ Identify residential flood hazard mitigation, preparedness, and recovery needs, available programs and resources, and communication channels. ○ Provide recommendations, outreach, communication, and services to support flood mitigation, preparedness, and recovery for flood-impacted residents. • Target Dates ○ Ongoing • Partners ○ UW Sea Grant ○ East River Collaborative ○ NEW Water ○ The Nature Conservancy • Funding Sources ○ Wisconsin Coastal Management Program ○ Fund for Lake Michigan ○ NOAA ○ National Fish and Wildlife Foundation • Point Person: Julia Noordyk 2  City of Green Bay Sustainability Commission 2025-26 Work Plan Healthy Habitat for All: • Goal: To create and preserve connected, productive, and safe habitat corridors in Green Bay’s land, air and water by 2030. • Research, Data, or Evidence ○ Maps of pollinator habitat ○ Other municipality experience with Integrated Pest Management • Actions ○ Assist and recognize pollinator habitat plantings, invasive species removal, and other habitat enhancements by GBCC and other groups. ○ Promote the City’s municipal planting policy, including access by the public. ○ Promote the City’s pesticide use plan, including access by the public. ○ Promote flexibility around No Mow May/ Low Mow May. ○ Promote the City’s pollinator corridor map, including access by the public. ○ Include biofilters and stormwater facilities in pollinator corridor map. ○ Provide readily accessible information to the public about acceptable turf alternatives on terrace • Target Dates ○ TBD • Partners ○ Green Bay Area Public Schools ○ Wild Ones ○ NEW Master Gardeners ○ Green Bay Conservation Corps. ○ DNR ○ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ○ Green Bay Conservation Partners ○ Neighborhood Associations • Funding Sources ○ Green Bay Conservation Corps ○ Grants ○ Neighborhood donations • Point People: Ned Dorff, Kaurie Mihm Waste Reduction: • Goal: Reduce the amount of organic waste entering our landfill system • Research, Data, or Evidence ○ USDA Composting & Food Reduction Program ○ US EPA Food waste program ○ ReFED ○ Wisconsin municipal programs • Actions ○ Establish a program to provide home composting bins throughout the community. ○ Establish pilot collection program. ○ Identify end location and use for organic material. 3  City of Green Bay Sustainability Commission 2025-26 Work Plan ○ Educate the public on food waste reduction. ○ Reduce contamination. • Target Dates ○ Compost bin sales in 2025 • Partners ○ Public Works ○ Parks Dept. ○ UWGB ○ NWTC ○ Organics Facility/Farm ○ Compost Collector • Funding Sources ○ USDA Composting & Food Reduction Cooperative Agreements ○ US EPA Grant Programs • Point People: Mark Walter Youth Engagement • Goal: Foster youth participation in sustainability initiatives, ensuring the next generation is informed and empowered to take action on local sustainability issues. • Research, Data, or Evidence: o Studies on youth engagement in climate activism o Existing youth sustainability programs in other municipalities • Actions: o Meet routinely with a youth advisory council to provide input on sustainability initiatives and represent the voices of local students and youth to the commission. o Partner with local schools and youth organizations to promote sustainability education. o Connect local youth to volunteer opportunities for youth to participate in sustainability efforts. • Target Dates: o Establish quarterly meeting cadence with newly formed Youth Action Council in 2025 • Partners: o Local schools (e.g., Green Bay Area Public Schools) o Higher education institutions (e.g., UW-Green Bay, NWTC) o Youth organizations (e.g., Boys & Girls Club, Youth Action Council) o Green Bay Conservation Corps. o Wisconsin K–12 Energy Education Program (KEEP) • Funding Sources: o Grants for youth programs o Volunteer programs • Point People: Christa Kananen, Ned Dorff Criteria for Taking on New Issues: The Sustainability Commission will use these goals to guide our work, however we also rely on input from community members. Recommendations from council members, city staff, or citizens will be considered with the following questions in mind: 4  City of Green Bay Sustainability Commission 2025-26 Work Plan ● How does this fit in with the current goals? ● Can taking this on help further the mission and make an impact on sustainability in Green Bay? ● Who will be leading this effort? Commission members? Citizen? City staff? What is the capacity to take this on? ● What research is required to move forward on this? ● If the Sustainability Commission is unable to take on new issues, can it be revisited in the future? ● Is the Sustainability Commission the most appropriate board to address this? Is there a committee, commission, or department better suited to address it? General Goals and Principles: ● Community Involvement: Our work will be most effective when the public is informed and involved in development and implementation. We will strive to create pathways for involvement in all facets of our work, including but not limited to creating work groups, holding listening sessions, speaking to community organizations, distributing surveys, and seeking the input of our fellow neighbors. ● Public Outreach and Awareness: We will strive to amplify our work in the community. Specifically, we will include information relevant to ongoing work in our web presence. ● Racial Justice and Equity: Often those most impacted by pollution are the marginalized in our society. We recognize the intersections between race, class, and environmental impacts and will center those realities in our work. We will strive to involve community members most impacted by environmental injustice to be a part of proposed solutions. ● Data and Research Driven: There are volumes of peer-reviewed data and research on the issues addressed by this committee. The Sustainability Commission knows it is important to present research alongside proposed solutions and will include this information in any recommendations to be voted on by the Common Council. This Commission includes members with expertise in a variety of areas, with access to networks of experts outside of our skill sets. ● Fiscal Responsibility: Sustainability projects done right can save the city and community money in the long-term. Every policy proposal and action brought forth will demonstrate that. Even with long-term cost savings, we recognize that up-front costs of implementing sustainability proposals can be a constraint. As such, the Sustainability Commission will identify grant funding opportunities and volunteer experts, and will present the Common Council with the most fiscally responsible options in recommended policies. 5  Report to the Sustainability Commission of the City of Green Bay MEETING DATE September 17, 2025 AGENDA ITEM # G.2 Youth Engagement Work Group Update BACKGROUND The Green Bay Youth Environmental Committee held a cleanup event at Preble High School’s Newberry Conservancy on August 19th. While there was limited community participation, GBAPS students, staff, and their families picked up several bags of trash. This event has been a goal of the Youth Environmental Committee, led by Kendall Blahnik, since its inception. Kudos to Kendall for seeing this through! If anyone knows of a GBAPS student who may be interested in joining the Youth Environmental Committee, please have them join here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCf7zq4bwDN4I8imxMBYNFMUJNxBCiyWXT9QMbwMMyV8_- Yg/viewform?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLAJMVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp8mCl9jeoztJL0WELss_9vujHoCF- xQSjQ_sekutCrv2gkqd4lcmBAJqr0L0_aem_JScogtU9Lq1fnqT87nW17Q RECOMMENDATION FISCAL IMPACT ATTACHMENTS None 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 greenbaywi.gov  Report to the Sustainability Commission of the City of Green Bay MEETING DATE September 17, 2025 AGENDA ITEM # G.3 Clean Energy Connector - Update BACKGROUND September update from Alex Galt, Clean Energy Connector RECOMMENDATION To receive and place on file. FISCAL IMPACT None. ATTACHMENTS 1. Energize Green Bay Update September 2025 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 greenbaywi.gov Clean Energy / Energize Green Bay Campaign updates, September 2025 Submitted by Alex Galt, Clean Energy Connector, City of Green Bay • The scope of work that formed the basis for the USDN Emergent Learning Fund grant that was received last fall has been successfully concluded. The final report was submitted on August 27th. The report will be added to USDN’s database, where it will be available to other communities—hopefully—to learn from. There is a remaining balance of grant monies. In accordance with USDN’s guidelines, this has been allocated for further campaign-related expenses similar in character to grant activities. • Public outreach is ongoing. This summer I have done outreach at farmers markets and festivals. Most recently, I gave a presentation to the 108 members of the Retired Men’s Club of Green Bay, which meets monthly at the Brown County Library. They were a lively group with many great questions. Several members took the opportunity to talk about projects they’ve undertaken at home, including solar and hybrid heat pump systems. It’s always welcome when members of a group speak to other members of their group, as they will have more social credibility. • The Energize Green Bay website has been online since mid-December 2024. Since that time, it has had thousands of unique visitors. The main navigational element on the front page of the site is a form that tracks the self-declared identity and topic preference of each user. This is inherently “leaky,” since the website provides multiple ways to navigate its resources. With that caveat, let’s look at the data: Homeowners, first choice of topic 7% 23% 43% 12% 15% Solar PV Electric Appliances Heat Pumps Energy Efficiency Electric Vehicles That “Solar PV” captures the lion’s share of views of self-declared “homeowners” is less surprising than the fact that EVs garner the least. Incentives for EVs have been among the most generous. The second least visited topic is “Heat Pumps,” I would imagine, because of their slow adoption in the Upper Midwest. This appears to validate my choice to focus on heat pumps going into the fourth quarter of 2025.  Report to the Sustainability Commission of the City of Green Bay MEETING DATE September 17, 2025 AGENDA ITEM # G.5 Resiliency Coordinator Updates BACKGROUND • Discuss upcoming commissioner term endings • Food waste pilot • East River Emilie Park and Van Beaver Park flood resiliency project updates RECOMMENDATION FISCAL IMPACT ATTACHMENTS None 100 North Jefferson Street, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301-5026 greenbaywi.gov